Optical disk cartridge

ABSTRACT

An optical disk cartridge includes a casing having an accommodating section formed by a pair of top and bottom walls, a discrimination hole formed in one of the walls, a holder accommodated in the accommodating section of the casing and capable of insertion and removal of a disk into and from the accommodating section, an operation element accommodated in the accommodating section, and a breakable blocking part for blocking movement of the operation element and insertion and removal of the holder. In the optical disk cartridge, when the blocking part is broken, the operation element is slidable, and sliding of the operation element allows the discrimination hole to be opened and closed and enables insertion and removal of the holder into and from the accommodating section.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optical disk cartridge into which an optical disk can be inserted and removed.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 30 shows a conventional optical disk cartridge. Referring to FIG. 30, a casing 21 for accommodating therein an optical disk D has an accommodating section 21 a and an opening provided in one side face thereof for inserting and removing the disk D into and from the cartridge.

A lid 22 having tongues 22 a is attached to the opening 21 b so as to be opened and closed.

In the insertion and removal of the disk D, top and bottom faces of the disk D are sandwiched by the tongues 22 a so that the disk D is inserted and removed into and from the accommodating section 21 a. This prevents the disk D from being contaminated by fingerprints and the like.

In general, after formatting the disk D, the disk D is checked again to determine whether or not it has been satisfactorily formatted. When a defective region is detected on the disk D, the region is registered in a control table.

In a conventional optical disk cartridge, if the disk D can be inserted and removed, there is a risk that that an unacceptable disk D will be inserted by a user. For example, writable disks D, such as DVD-RAMs (digital versatile disk RAMs), are generally subjected to checking for defective regions at the time of factory shipment in order to improve reliability of data to be written thereon. Some of the disks D, however, are not subjected to checking for defective regions, and such disks D may be accommodated in the casing 21.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical disk cartridge in which optical disks can be replaced and in which information on a replaced disk can be discriminated.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an optical disk cartridge including: a casing having an accommodating section formed by a pair of top and bottom walls; a discrimination hole formed in one of the walls; a holder accommodated in the accommodating section of the casing and capable of insertion and removal of a disk into and from the accommodating section; an operation element accommodated in the accommodating section; and a breakable blocking part for blocking movement of the operation element and insertion and removal of the holder; wherein, when the blocking part is broken, the operation element is slidable, and sliding of the operation element allows the discrimination hole to be opened and closed and enables insertion and removal of the holder into and from the accommodating section.

In the optical disk cartridge of the present invention, the discrimination hole may be for determining whether or not checking for defective regions of the disk has been completed.

In the optical disk cartridge of the present invention, the discrimination hole may be provided in the pair of top and bottom walls, respectively. The discrimination hole provided in one of the walls and the discrimination hole provided in the other of the walls may be provided at opposing top and bottom positions across the widthwise central part of the casing.

In the optical disk cartridge of the present invention, the holder may have a receiving part for receiving the operation element, and the operation element received in the receiving part may be insertable and removable into and from said accommodating section in accordance with the insertion and removal of the holder.

The holder may be provided with a guide part around the receiving part for guiding the sliding movement of the operation element.

In the optical disk cartridge of the present invention, one of the walls opposing the other of the walls provided with the discrimination hole may be formed with a slot partially opposing the discrimination hole.

The operation element may be formed with a hole adjacent to the slot for receiving an operation tool.

In the optical disk cartridge of the present invention, the blocking part may be integrally formed with one or both of the walls.

A base portion of the blocking part may be formed by a thin-walled part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical disk cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the optical disk cartridge shown in FIG. 1 that has been turned upside down;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the optical cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4—4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5—5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion identified by Z in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7—7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates movement of an operation part and an operation element of the optical disc cartridge;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9—9 in FIG. 8:

FIG. 10 illustrates the relationship between the optical disk cartridge and a disk driving apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is d plan view of a bottom cover in the optical disk cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the bottom cover;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the bottom cover;

FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view of the bottom cover;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion identified by X in FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a holder for the optical disk cartridge;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the holder;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the holder;

FIG. 19 is a rear elevation view of the holder;

FIG. 20 is a partial view showing a principal part of the holder;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line 21—21 in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along the line 22—22 in FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a partial view showing a principal part of the holder;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along the line 24—24 in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along the line 25—25 in FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a plan view of the operation part of the optical disk cartridge;

FIG. 27 is a sectional view taken along the line 27—27 in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a plan view of the operation element of the optical disk cartridge;

FIG. 29 is a sectional view taken along the line 29—29 in FIG. 28; and

FIG. 30 is a partly exploded perspective view of a conventional optical disk cartridge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While optical disk cartridges exist for DVD-RAM disks of 120 mm in diameter, optical disk cartridges for DVD-RAM disks of 80 mm in diameter have not previously been developed.

The present invention provides an optical disk cartridge for 80 mm disks which can also be applied to optical disk cartridges for 120 mm disks, and to a disk driving apparatus for the optical disk cartridge for 120 mm disks.

An embodiment of an optical disk cartridge of the present invention applied to the 80-mm disks used for a DVD-RAM will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 29.

A casing 1 consists of top and bottom covers 2 and 3 which are molded articles made of synthetic resin.

Since the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 have nearly the same construction, only the bottom cover 3 will be described in detail. Regarding the top cover 2, portions thereof which differ from those of the bottom cover 3 will also be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 15, the bottom cover 3 includes a planar wall 3 a, a pair of side walls 3 b provided on the left and right of the wall 3 a, and a rectangular cutout 3 e which is formed in front of the wall 3 a with spaces 3 c and 3 d remaining between the side walls 3 b.

In addition, the bottom cover 3 includes front walls 3 f and 3 g provided at left and right front positions corresponding to the spaces 3 c and 3 d. The front walls 3 f and 3 g are provided with recesses 3 h of different shapes at positions exposed to the outside so as to form incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the space 3 c of the wall 3 a is provided with operating slots 3 i and 3 j, and a breakable blocking part 3 m consisting of a projection and having thin-walled parts 3 k at the base portion thereof which are sequentially arranged side by side.

The space 3 d of the wall 3 a is provided with a circular discrimination hole 3 n for discriminating whether or not information can be written on the disk, a circular discrimination hole 3 p for discriminating whether or not the checking for defective regions has been completed, and a circular blocking part-removing hole 3 q, all of which are sequentially arranged side by side. The discrimination hole 3 n and the operating slot 3 i, the discrimination hole 3 p and the operating slot 3 j, and the hole 3 q and the blocking part 3 m are provided at positions equidistant from the center of the wall 3 a.

The bottom cover 3 includes a spring receiver 3 r formed on the rear thereof, a substantially circular clamping window 3 s formed in the center thereof, a rectangular reading and writing window 3 t provided continuously with the clamping window 3 s, projections 3 u are formed on the border of the clamping window 3 s and the reading and writing windows 3 t so as to narrow the width of the window 3 t. An arcuate rim 3 v is provided on the rear of the inside of the bottom cover 3. Regulating parts 3 w are connected to both ends of the rim 3 v and extend rearward, inclined relative to the side walls 3 b. A base 3 x is provided over the central portion of the inside of the bottom cover 3, a pair of latching recesses 3 y are provided at opposing positions of the side walls 3 b, and a rectangular recessed part 3 z is provided on the back of the wall 3 a of the bottom cover 3.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the window 3 t for reading and writing, an optical head (not shown) linearly moves so as to read and write information from and on the disk D. When the direction of movement of the optical head is taken as a vertical direction E, and the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction E is taken as a horizontal direction F, the clamping window 3 s is formed by arcuate parts J each having a radius of 14 mm from the center C of the window 3 s (the same as the center C of the disk D). In other words, the clamping window 3 s has diameter G of 28 mm in the vertical direction E, and a pair of linear parts K having a width of 27.4 mm in the horizontal direction F and parallel to the direction of movement of the optical head, (i.e., the vertical direction E). The arcuate parts J connect the linear parts K.

That is, the clamping window 3 s has a diameter (28 mm) in the vertical direction E which is larger than the width (27.4 mm) in the horizontal direction F. The same construction applies to a clamping window 2 s of the top cover 2, and the diameter G may preferably be ±2 mm of 28 mm, and the width H may preferably be ±2 mm of 27.4 mm due to the relationship between the entire width of the casing 1 for the 80 mm disk and a motor (described hereinbelow) of the disk driving apparatus for the 120 mm disk.

The details of the top cover 2 are omitted, and only some of the components and the reference numerals thereof are shown in the figures.

As will be understood from a comparison of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the top cover 2 differs from the bottom cover 3 in that a recessed part 2 z is formed on the surface of the wall 2 a of the top cover 2, in that a space 2 f of the wall 2 a is provided with a discrimination hole 2 n for discriminating whether or not the information can be written on the disk D, a discrimination hole 2 p for determining whether or not the checking for defective regions has been completed, and a blocking part-removing hole 2 q. The top cover 2 also differs in that a space 2 g of the wall 2 a is provided with operating slots 2 i and 2 j arranged side by side, and a breakable blocking part 2 m consisting of a projection and having thin-walled parts 2 k at the base portion thereof.

The top cover 2 and the bottom cover 3 constructed as described above are combined vertically to thereby form the casing 1.

When the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 are combined, an accommodating section 1 a for accommodating the optical disk D and the like is formed therebetween, and the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A having recesses of different shapes are formed between the front walls 2 f, 2 g, 3 f and 3 g, as shown in FIG. 3.

In addition, when the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 are combined, the discrimination hole 2 n of the top cover opposes a part of the operating slot 3 i of the bottom cover 3, the discrimination hole 2 p opposes a part of the operating slot 3 j, the hole 2 q opposes the blocking part 3 m on the right side of the casing 1, the discrimination hole 3 n of the bottom cover 3 opposes a part of the operating slot 2 i of the top cover 2, the discrimination hole 3 p opposes a part of the operating slot 2 j, and the blocking part 2 m opposes the hole 3 q on the left side of the casing 1.

Closing parts 1 b for closing the operating slots 3 i and 3 j are formed adjacent to the discrimination holes 2 n and 2 p of the wall 2 a opposing the operating slots 3 i and 3 j, and closing parts 1 c for closing the operating slots 2 i and 2 j are formed adjacent to the discrimination holes 3 n and 3 p of the wall 3 a opposing the operating slots 2 i and 2 j.

Furthermore, when the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 are combined, a clamping window 2 s and a reading and writing window 2 t of the top cover 2 opposes the clamping window 3 s and the reading and writing window 3 t of the bottom cover 3. A rim 2 v and regulating parts 2 w of the top cover 2 abut against the rim 3 v and the regulating parts 3 w of the bottom cover 3, a space for holding the disk D is secured between bases 2 x and 3 x, and latching recesses 2 y and 3 y are formed in the side walls 2 b and 3 b.

A shutter 4 is made of a U-shaped metal plate and consists of a rectangular plate part 4 a for closing the clamping window 2 s and the reading and writing window 2 t, a rectangular plate part 4 b for closing the clamping window 3 s and the reading and writing window 3 t, and a connecting part 4 c for connecting the plate parts 4 a and 4 b.

The connecting part 4 c is located on the rear of the casing 1. The plate parts 4 a and 4 b are disposed in the recessed parts 2 z and 3 z so that the shutter 4 can move within the range of the recessed parts 2 z and 3 z.

Spring members (not shown) are placed in the spring receivers 2 r and 3 r, and the shutter 4 is normally located by the spring members at a neutral position to close the clamping windows 2 s and 3 s and the reading and writing windows 2 t and 3 t. When the shutter 4 is moved to the right side or the left side against the spring members, the shutter 4 opens the windows 2 s, 3 s, 2 t, and 3 t. When the biasing force to the shutter 4 is terminated, the shutter 4 is returned by the spring members to the neutral position again to close the windows 2 s, 3 s, 2 t, and 3 t.

As shown in FIGS. 16 to 19, a holder 5, which is a molded article made of synthetic resin, includes a base part 5 a, a pair of elastic arms 5 b provided at both ends of the base part 5 a and extending rearward, a pair of triangular projections 5 c provided at the terminal ends of the elastic arms 5 b, holding parts 5 d projecting from the upper and lower surfaces of the elastic arms 5 b near the terminal ends of the elastic arms 5 b, an exposed part 5 e continuously connected to the inner surfaces of the elastic arms 5 b to form the base part 5 a, and a groove 5 f provided behind the exposed part 5 e.

The elastic arms 5 b have spring properties on the side of the disk D (i.e., biasing inwardly towards each other. The disk D is inserted into the groove 5 f between the elastic arms 5 b. The holding parts 5 d hold a part of the upper and lower surfaces of the disk D, and the elastic arms 5 b hold the left and right peripheries of the disk D.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the elastic arms 5 b extend rearward from the base part 5 a while exceeding the size of the radius, R of the disk D, and the holding parts 5 d are formed at positions beyond the radius R of the disk D so as to hold the disk D at positions rearward of the center C of the disk D from the base part 5 a.

The holder 5 can be inserted into and removed from the accommodating section 1 a with the disk D held by the elastic arms 5 b. When the holder 5 is accommodated in the accommodating section 1 a together with the disk D, the projections 5 c abut against the regulating parts 2 w and 3 w, as shown in FIG. 5. When the holder 5 is further pushed in, the elastic arms 5 b are spread outwardly to separate from the peripheries of the disk D, whereby the holding of the peripheries of the disk D by the elastic arms 5 b is released. The deformation of the elastic arms 5 c toward the disk D is prevented by the regulating parts 2 w and 3 w.

When the holder 5 is mounted in the casing 1, the exposed part 5 e is located in the cutouts 2 e and 3 e so as to be exposed.

In removing the holder 5 from the casing 1, the elastic arms 5 b separate from the regulating parts 2 w and 3 w and return toward the disk D due to the spring properties thereof to hold the disk D, whereby the holder 5 can be removed together with the disk D held thereby.

The holder 5 includes a pair of extended parts 5 g located on both sides of the exposed part 5 e to form a part of the base part 5 a. A pair of first receiving parts 5 h, each comprising a substantially rectangular hole, are provided in the pair of extended parts 5 g at positions equidistant from the widthwise central part of the holder 5. First guide parts 5 i, each consisting of side walls forming the receiving parts 5 h, and a pair of V-shaped recesses 5 j spaced apart in the first guide parts 5 i.

The first receiving parts 5 h coincide with the discrimination holes 2 n and 3 n provided in the top and bottom covers 2 and 3, respectively.

The holder 5 also includes a pair of second receiving parts 5 k, each comprising a substantially rectangular wide hole, provided in the outside of the first receiving parts 5 h at positions equidistant from the widthwise central part of the holder 5, second guide parts 5 m each consisting of side walls forming the receiving parts 5 k, and a pair of V-shaped recesses 5 n spaced apart in the second guide parts 5 m.

The second receiving parts 5 k coincide with the discrimination holes 2 p and 3 p provided in the top and bottom covers 2 and 3, respectively, and blocking parts 2 m and 3 m.

In addition, the holder 5 includes identification marks 5 p formed on top and bottom faces of the exposed part 5 e. Each of the identification marks 5 p consists of an elliptical recess 5 q and a projection 5 r provided on the recess 5 q. As shown in FIGS. 20 to 25, one projection 5 r is provided on the top face of the base part 5 a, and two projections 5 r are provided on the bottom face of the base part 5 a so that top and bottom faces of each of the identification marks 5 p can be identified tactilly.

The holder 5 includes incorrect-insertion-preventing sections B provided on the extended parts 5 g. The incorrect-insertion-preventing sections B have recesses 5 s of different shapes provided in the left and right extended parts 5 g, as shown in FIG. 17. The incorrect-insertion-preventing sections B of the holder 5 coincide with the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A formed on the casing 1. If the holder 5 is turned upside down and an attempt is made to insert it into the casing 1, the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A and B prevent the holder 5 from being inserted into the casing 1.

The holder 5 includes a pair of locking parts 5 t, each having spring properties, provided on both sides thereof. When the holder 5 is inserted into the accommodating section 1 a of the casing 1, the latching parts 5 t are inserted into the casing 1 in a state of elastically contacting the side walls 2 b and 3 b of the top and bottom covers 2 and 3. When the latching parts 5 t coincide with the latching recesses 2 y and 3 y, the latching parts 5 t spread out due to the spring properties thereof to be latched in the latching recesses 2 y and 3 y, whereby the holder 5 is mounted in the casing 1.

In removing the holder 5 from the casing 1, the latching parts 5 t are first pressed toward the inside of the casing 1 from the outside of the casing 1 to unlatch the latching parts 5 t from the latching recesses 2 y and 3 y, and then the base part 5 a of the holder is pulled out.

An operation part 6, which is a molded article made of synthetic resin, includes a rectangular sealing part 6 a, a recess 6 b formed in the sealing part 6 d, and an engaging part 6 c having spring properties which extends from one end of the sealing part 6 a, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27.

The operation part 6 is accommodated by the holder 5 in the accommodating section 1 a of the casing 1 in a state of being received in the first receiving part 5 h so that the recess 6 b opposes the operating slot 2 i of the top cover 2, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 9.

When the operation part 6 is accommodated, the upper and lower surfaces of the operation part 6 are clamped by the top and bottom covers 2 and 3, side surfaces abut against the first guide 5 i, and the engaging part 6 c is engaged with the recess 5 j.

That is, the operation part 6 is slidably mounted without entering into the operating slot 2 i of the top cover 2 and the discrimination hole 3 n of the bottom cover 3. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the operation part 6 is at a position near the front of the casing 1, the discrimination hole 3 n is closed by the sealing part 6 a of the operation part 6 to prevent a detection pin (not shown), provided on the disk driving apparatus, from entering the discrimination hole 3 n, whereby the information can be written on the disk D. When an operating tool (not shown) is passed through the operating hole 2 i to be engaged with the recess 6 b of the operation part 6, and the operation part 6 is slid along the operating slot 2 i in the direction to separate from the front of the casing 1, the operation part 6 slides using the first guide part 5 i as a guide and the engaging part 6 c engages with another recess 5 j, whereby the operation part 6 is positioned, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In this case, the sealing part 6 a of the operation part 6 opens the discrimination hole 3 n and enables the entry of the detection pin so as to protect the disk D from having information written thereon.

In this way, the sliding movement of the operation part 6 determines whether or not information can be written on the disk D.

The operation part 6 disposed on the left side of the casing 1 shown in FIG. 5 may be disposed on the right side of the casing 1. When the operation part 6 is disposed on the right side, as will be understood from FIGS. 1 and 2, the discrimination hole 2 n is provided in the top cover 2 and the operating slot 3 i is provided in the bottom cover 3. Therefore, the operation part 6 is disposed in a reversed state.

In this case, the disk D is used with the casing 1 turned upside down, as shown in FIG. 2, and whether or not information can be written on the disk D can be arbitrarily determined by selecting the top or the bottom side of the casing 1.

An operation element 7, which is a molded article made of synthetic resin, includes a rectangular sealing part 7 a, a recess 7 b formed in the sealing part 7 a, a through hole 7 c formed in the sealing part 7 a in parallel with the through hole 7 b, and an engaging part 7 d having spring properties which extends from one end of the sealing part 7 a, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the operation element 7 is received in the receiving part 5 k and is accommodated in the accommodating section 1 a of the casing 1 in a state where the recess 7 b opposes the operating slot 2 j of the top cover 2, the blocking part 2 m of the top cover 2 is inserted into the through hole 7 c, and the through hole 7 c opposes the hole 3 q of the bottom cover 3.

When the operation element 7 is accommodated, the movement of the operation element 7 is blocked by the blocking part 2 m, the holder 5 cannot be removed from the casing 1, the upper and lower surfaces of the operation element 7 are clamped by the top and bottom covers 2 and 3, side surfaces abut against the second guide part 5 m, and the engaging part 7 d is engaged with the recess 5 n.

That is, the operation element 7 is mounted without entering into the operating slot 2 j of the top cover 2 and the discrimination holes 3 p and 3 q of the bottom cover 3.

When the disk D is accommodated in the casing 1 and the movement of the operation element 7 is blocked by the blocking part 2 m as described above, the checking for defective regions of the disk D has been completed.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the operation element 7 is at a position near the front of the casing 1, the discrimination hole 3 p is closed by the sealing part 7 a of the operation element 7 to prevent the detection pin (not shown), provided on the disk driving apparatus, from entering the discrimination hole 3 p so that the completion of the checking for defective regions of the disk D is detected.

The user, however, may desire to replace the disk D in the casing 1 with another disk D from necessity.

In this case, the blocking part 2 m is first broken by the operation tool (not shown) from behind the hole 3 p or the blocking part 2 m so as to allow the holder 5 and the operation element 7 to be removed from the casing 1.

When the holder 5 is removed from the casing 1, the operation element 7 is pulled out by the second receiving parts 5 k and the disk D is pulled out by the elastic arms 5 b. After the replacement of the disk D with another disk D, the second disk D and the operation element 7 are accommodated again in the accommodating section 1 a of the casing 1 together with the holder 5.

The accommodated second disk D is not subjected to checking for defective regions. Therefore, when the operation tool (not shown) is passed through the operating slot 2 j to be engaged with the recess 7 b of the operation element 7, and the operation element 7 is slid along the operating slot 2 j in a direction to separate from the front of the casing 1, the operation element 7 slides using the second guide part 5 m, and the engaging part 7 d engages with another recess 5 n, whereby the operation element 7 is positioned, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In this case, the sealing part 7 a of the operation element 7 opens the discrimination hole 3 p and enables the entry of the detection pin so as to determine that defective regions of the disk D have not yet been detected.

When a defective region of the disk D is detected by the disk driving apparatus in the state shown in FIG. 8, the casing 1 is removed from the disk driving apparatus, and the operation element 7 is slid by the operation tool so as to bring about the state shown in FIG. 6.

Thereafter, it is determined that the checking for defective regions of the disk D has been completed.

The operation element 7 disposed on the left side of the casing 1 shown in FIG. 5 may be disposed on the right side of the casing 1. When the operation element 7 is disposed on the right side, as will be understood from FIGS. 1 and 2, the discrimination hole 2 p is provided in the top cover 2 and the operating slot 3 j is provided in the bottom cover 3. Therefore, the operation element 7 is disposed in a reversed state.

In this case, the disk D is used with the casing 1 turned upside down, as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, the blocking part 3 m is broken so as to enable the movement of the operation element 7 and to determine whether or not the checking for defective regions has been completed.

The blocking parts 2 m and 3 m may be provided separately from the top and bottom covers 2 and 3.

In this case, holes 2 q and 3 q may be provided at the positions of the blocking parts 2 m and 3 m, and separate blocking parts 2 m and 3 m may be inserted into the holes 2 p and 3 q. Assembling of such a disk cartridge is completed by combining the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 to form the casing 1, by accommodating the disk D, the operation part 6, and the operation elements 7 in the casing 1, and then by mounting the separate blocking parts 2 m and 3 m. This facilitates manufacture of the optical disk cartridge.

As described above, the optical disk cartridge can be accurately assembled by the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A of the casing 1 and the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections B of the holder 5 at the time of replacement of the disk D, and the top and bottom faces of the holder 5 or the optical disk cartridge can be securely identified by the identification mark 5 p when assembling the holder 5 or when using the optical disk cartridge.

When the optical disk cartridge constructed as described above is loaded on a disk driving apparatus 8, the shutter 4 is moved to open the clamping windows 2 s and 3 s and the reading and writing windows 2 t and 3 t, as shown in FIG. 10.

When the disk D is loaded, the detection pins (not shown) enter into the discrimination holes 3 n and 3 p, respectively, to determine whether or not information can be written on the disk D and whether or not the checking for defective regions has been completed. In addition, a table 9 is rotated about a fulcrum 9 a to allow a spindle 10 a of a motor 10 attached on the table 9 to be inserted into a hole of the disk D and to allow a hub 10 b to abut against the face of the disk D, whereby the disk D is clamped.

An optical head 11 is moved in the vertical direction E (shown in FIG. 11) with the disk D rotated by the motor 10 so as to write information on the disk D or read information from the disk D.

The outer diameter of the hub 10 b generally ranges from 25 to 29 mm. In consideration of this, the width H of the clamping windows 2 s and 3 s in the horizontal direction F is ±2 mm of 27.4 mm. Moreover, since the hub 10 b moves in a circle about the fulcrum 9 a of the table 9, the diameter G of the clamping windows 2 s and 3 s in the vertical direction E is ±2 mm of 28 mm.

By enlarging the size of the clamping windows 2 s and 3 s in the vertical direction E, the hub 10 b can be prevented from colliding with the casing 1 during the circular motion thereof. In addition, by reducing the size of the clamping windows 2 s and 3 s in the horizontal direction F, the amount of movement of the shutter 4 can be secured.

The optical disk cartridge of the present invention includes the casing 1 having the accommodating section 1 a formed by a pair of top and bottom walls 2 a and 3 a, the discrimination hole 3 p formed in the wall 3 a, the holder 5 accommodated in the accommodating section 1 a of the casing 1 and capable of insertion and removal of the disk D into and from the accommodating section 1 a, the operation element 7 accommodated in the accommodating section 1 a, and a breakable blocking part 2 m for blocking movement of the operation element 7. In the optical disk cartridge, when the blocking part 2 m is broken, the operation element 7 is slidable and sliding of the operation element 7 allows the discrimination hole 3 p to be opened and closed and enables insertion and removal of the holder 5 into and from the accommodating section 1 a. Therefore, the disks D can be replaced, and breaking of the blocking part 2 m allows the operation element 7 to be used as a member for discriminating checking for defective regions of the disk D.

By using the discrimination hole 3 p for determining whether or not the checking for defective regions of the disk D has been completed, the checking for defective regions of the disk D at the time of replacement thereof can be discriminated, and the checking for defective regions can be securely discriminated.

The discrimination holes 2 p and 3 p are provided in a pair of top and bottom walls 2 a and 3 a, respectively, and the discrimination hole 2 a provided in the wall 2 a and the discrimination hole 3 p provided in the wall 3 a are provided at opposing top and bottom positions across the widthwise central part of the casing 1. Therefore, in an optical disk cartridge in which the disk D is reversed so as to use both top and bottom surfaces thereof, the checking for defective regions of the disk on the top and bottom faces can be discriminated.

The holder 5 has the receiving part 5 k for receiving the operation element 7, and the operation element 7 received in the receiving part 5 k is insertable and removable into and from the accommodating section 1 a in accordance with the insertion and removal of the holder 5. Therefore, the operation element 7 does not interfere with replacement of the disks D, the disks D can be easily replaced, and the operation element 7 can be easily mounted and removed in and from the optical disk cartridge.

The holder 5 is provided with the guide part 5 m around the receiving part 5 k for guiding sliding movement of the operation element 7. Therefore, the sliding movement of the operation element 7 is secured, and a special member is not required for the casing, thus facilitating manufacture of the optical disk cartridge.

The wall 2 a opposing the wall 3 a provided with the discrimination hole 3 p is formed with a slot 2 j partially opposing the discrimination hole 3 p. Therefore, the sliding movement of the operation element 7 can be facilitated, and accidental movement of the operation element for the checking for defective regions is eliminated.

The operation element 7 is provided with a hole 7 b adjacent to the slot 2 j for receiving an operation tool. Therefore, the sliding movement of the operation element from the outside of the casing 1 can be facilitated.

The blocking part 2 m is integrally formed with one or both of the walls 2 a and 3 a. Therefore, the construction of the optical disk cartridge can be simplified, and excellent productivity can be obtained.

A base portion of the blocking part 2 m is formed by a thin-walled part 2 k. Therefore, the blocking part 2 m can be easily broken, and the disks D can be simply replaced. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical disk cartridge comprising: a casing having an accommodating section formed by a pair of top and bottom walls; a discrimination hole formed in one of said walls; a holder accommodated in said accommodating section of said casing, said holder being movable to permit insertion of the optical disk into said accommodating section or removal of the optical disk from said accommodating section; an operation element having a through hole and accommodated in said accommodating section, said operation element being removably disposed in said holder and arranged so as to prevent insertion or removal of said holder into or from said accommodating section, said operation element being slidably disposed adjacent to said discrimination hole so as to permit opening or closing of said discrimination hole; and a breakable blocking part for blocking movement of said operation element, said blocking part being removably inserted into the through hole of said operation element to prevent removal or sliding of said operation element; wherein, when said blocking part is inserted in the through hole of said operation part, the movement of said operation element is prevented so as to prevent the opening or closing of said discrimination hole and to prevent insertion or removal of said holder into or from said accommodating section, and wherein, when said blocking part is broken and removed from said through hole, said operation element is slidable to permit the opening or closing of said discrimination hole and is removable to permit the insertion or removal of said holder into or from said accommodating section.
 2. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said discrimination hole is used to determine whether a checking for defective regions of the disk has been completed.
 3. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said discrimination hole comprises a first discrimination hole and a second discrimination hole provided in said pair of top and bottom walls, respectively, and said first discrimination hole provided in one of said walls and said second discrimination hole provided in the other of said walls are provided at opposing top and bottom positions across a widthwise central part of said casing.
 4. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said holder has a receiving part for receiving said operation element, and said operation element received in said receiving part is insertable and removable into and from said accommodating section in accordance with the insertion and removal of said holder.
 5. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 4, wherein said holder is provided with a guide part around said receiving part for guiding the sliding movement of said operation element.
 6. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a slot is formed in the one of said walls opposing the other of said walls provided with said discrimination hole, said slot partially opposing said discrimination hole.
 7. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 6, wherein said operation element is formed with a hole adjacent to said slot for receiving an operation tool.
 8. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said blocking part is integrally formed with one or both of said walls.
 9. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 8, wherein a base portion of said blocking part is formed by a thin-walled part. 